Am I being a hog?

[sarahsar]

My experience at several of the Epcot restaraunts has been that the dinner experience often takes a long time, longer than expected. Often you are seated later than your ADR, and then with appetizers, desserts, etc., it can take a while.

We ate at La Hacienda last week. The meal took _forever_. Their computer system went down and apparently that stopped the process of getting the orders out. They did, however, bring us a free round of the delicious margaritas so we weren't too upset. We ended up seeing Illuminations there, not by design, but because the meal took so long. It did turn out to be a great meal. I think a 7:45 ADR with the thought of seeing Illuminations at 9 is reasonable eating a meal there at a normal pace.

 

[postage stamp]

Margaritas make everything better..


FREE MARGARITAS could be the solution to the Middle East peace talks.

 

[sarahsar]

Margaritas make everything better..


FREE MARGARITAS could be the solution to the Middle East peace talks.

LOL, I have to say, I was thinking I wish the computer system would go down all the time! Free margaritas can not be beat!

 

[Rhonna]

Agree with some pp's. We've done Rose and Crown about 3 or 4 times total over the years and always had 7:30 ressies. We asked nicely and mentioned we know it's not guaranteed for an outside table. We've always gotten outside. (Slow season and be VERY polite.) We have eaten inside once (before we knew you could ask for the outside) and they let us stand outside for Illuminations.

By the time we were seated, and we do a full meal - appetizers, drinks, entrees, desserts and coffee with dessert - we are just about finishing up when Illuminations begins. We enjoy the leisurely pace but then we don't rush through ANY sit down meal at WDW. So no, I don't think 7:45 is unreasonable at all.

We have NEVER had the wait staff at Rose and Crown give ANY indication they were trying to rush us. They know most people made that ADR mainly for Illuminations. Our waiters have always been super friendly and comment about how we have a great seat for Illuminations long before it starts. We do give a nice tip. But we tip well at all the restaurants. Maybe a bit more at Rose and Crown because the staff is so great to us and not pushy.

Plus, I also read the same review of the new restaurant and they mentioned the staff was really struggling at soft opening. It's possible that when you go, they may still be working out some kinks. I think allowing enough time for any unforeseen situations is a good idea.

I've seen some people at restaurants that sit and talk FOREVER after everything is done and they are NOT waiting for Illuminations. Even outside WDW. That drives me crazy but it's their table and their right to have a leisurely dinner no matter how many are waiting in line.

There is no such thing as an exact time reservation at WDW so anyone who thinks they can make an ADR at 8:30 at Rose and Crown or this new restaurant and believes that they will get in right on time to see Illuminations is taking a gamble. Although I have seen people leave Rose and Crown just 5 minutes before Illum. began without seeming to care - so obviously there are a FEW who aren't making their ADR's to view Illum. Maybe some actually like to stand around the lake or don't even stay for the show.

I think a later time than you have is really unwise.

 

[epd0407]

Ok, I made an ADR - if enough of you think it's a greedy thing to do, I may cancel it - but here it is:
I read Mike's review of LaHacienda in today's Mousesavers... the food is ok, but what interested me was that it seems every table offers prime viewing of Illuminations! So, I tried to get an 8:15 ADR - no such luck...
They did, however have a 7:45 slot open, so I took it. I'm not the biggest fan of mexican food, but it's ok - my DH enjoys it...but the opportunity to sit in a nice spot and slowly finish my dessert while viewing Illuminations is very exciting to me.
Am I taking up the table for too long a time if I'm there an hour and a half? And would anyone else really be sitting down to dinner after my 7:45 slot anyway?

I dont think anyone has mentioned it. But ADR times can vary, you can get there up to either 15 mins late or 30, before they mark you as not coming. If you stretch the time you get there to the very end you'll have less time to wait.

 

[d1gitman]

just wondering why the question is being asked? really now, what answer is the op looking for? Yes, you are a table hog?...No your not a table hog? Flames? A pat on the back on figuring a way to view Illuminations indoors?

Personally I don't care how long a person takes for their meal, intentional or not. I just don't understand what it is the OP is looking for by asking the question.

 

[LaurenT]

just wondering why the question is being asked? really now, what answer is the op looking for? Yes, you are a table hog?...No your not a table hog? Flames? A pat on the back on figuring a way to view Illuminations indoors?

Personally I don't care how long a person takes for their meal, intentional or not. I just don't understand what it is the OP is looking for by asking the question.

I guess I was looking to see if I was way off base in taking the ADR that was half and hour earlier than what I would have thought would be the right time to plan Illuminations during the meal....but with the majority of comments, I am now convinced that 7:45 is even better than the 8:15 I originally wanted but that was unavailable....

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have a 7:45 for a 9:30 Illuminations in Dec.

I am of the opinion that wait staff assumes that the majority of people getting later DR's (up to 2 hours prior to showtime) at any of the better view WS restaurants are there both for a meal as well as viewing Illuminations.

Enjoy your meal, Lauren, and the show.

 

[cm8]

If you like the food then go for that. Most likely you will not be seated at exactly 7;45 so won't be there so long. Just play by ear and see his it works out.

This!!

 

[snowy76]

I have a 7:45 for a 9:30 Illuminations in Dec.

I am of the opinion that wait staff assumes that the majority of people getting later DR's (up to 2 hours prior to showtime) at any of the better view WS restaurants are there both for a meal as well as viewing Illuminations.

Enjoy your meal, Lauren, and the show.

Agreed. Whenever we've had a later dinner at Rose and Crown, the hostess is always quick to mention the availability or non-availability of tables with a view of the water, even before we mention it. They'll never guarantee a table with a view for the show, but they may suggest you wait a bit longer b/c they know a party is close to vacating one of those tables. I would assume the staff in Mexico is treating the situation the same way. Disney knew people had been clamoring for another dining option on the lagoon for years, when they announced the expansion.

I also agree with the PP who mentioned a generous tip is probably the courteous thing to do for your server.

But FWIW, I don't know where some folks are eating, but we NEVER take less than an hour, and usually close to two, for a meal out. Especially on vacation! Who wants to shovel in their food and go go go? We take an hour or more at our local Chilis!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Assuming you get seated on time, you probably wouldn't get out of there much before 9:00 anyway.

 

[Maus]

I would do it, we don't need that quickly.

I noticed when making a reservation for La hacienda that they do not take the DLXDP? It doesn't show what credits they take. I don't mind, we can pay OOP, but didn't expect that.

 

[rie'smom]

Then she can rename the show:

Hallucinations Reflections of Reflections of Earth

Luckily I wasn't drinking a Margarita when I read this!!!

 

[AxlRose330]

Last August we had an ADR at Rose and Crown for 7:25. I had envisioned not being able to see the fireworks due to the time(Illuminations was at 9). But it started pouring right before we went to check in. So we checked in and waited in the pub to be seated. It took quite awhile for us to get seated. But we didn't intentionally drag our meal out or anything. In fact we were pretty much done when the hostess came by and lifted the screen so we could see the fireworks(we were pretty much just waiting for the dessert menu. We ordered the dessert right before the show started and just ate dessert through the show. You should be alright.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this to our restaurant board.

 

[TDC Nala]

I realize this thread was moved. There is a lot of tipping discussion in this thread. On the restaurant board, discussion of tipping at restaurants is limited to the Tipping Information sticky thread on the main restaurant board. I've removed any discussion of tipping already present in the thread.

I saw Illuminations from La Hacienda last week. You should know that 1) there are some tables that do not have a view and 2) the service was so slow it wasn't a problem to see the fireworks (not sure if that's true every night) and 3) it was not full. (Maybe that's because they weren't taking reservations yet).

 

[Dan Murphy]

I realize this thread was moved. There is a lot of tipping discussion in this thread. On the restaurant board, discussion of tipping at restaurants is limited to the Tipping Information sticky thread on the main restaurant board. I've removed any discussion of tipping already present in the thread....

Not a frequent visitor to this forum, so two questions.

There is a special tipping thread? (Apparently so). And why is that, a special tipping thread? Tipping can't be discussed in other threads? Just getting my feet wet here.

 

[B-Ride]

Go for it! Enjoy and sip slooooowly! P.S. Dont have too many margaritas cause you may end up seeing double!

Would add an interesting new twist to Illuminations.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Hi Dan

Read the first post in the tipping thread sticky at thetop of the board, will give you a glimpse into why personal tipping habit discussion is not allowed

the mechanics of how it works or general questions are allon the sticky thread

thanks for asking!

 

[Pumbaa_]

To respond to the OP, I have an adr Monday night at 7:45 and will be staying through Illuminatons. can't wait!!